big brother

noun

1

: an older brother

2

: a man who serves as a companion, father figure, and role model for a boy

3

Big Brother [Big Brother, personification of the power of the state in 1984 (1949) by George Orwell]

a

: the leader of an authoritarian state or movement

b

: an all-powerful government or organization monitoring and directing people's actions

Examples of big brother in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cruise was in town to talk with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his big brother, Jason, the ESPN analyst and former Eagles center. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026

Later, one LaFleur (Mike, the Arizona Cardinals’ rookie coach) led his team to a stunning upset while another (big brother Matt, the Green Bay Packers’ eighth-year coach) watched a seemingly secure lead turn into a Minnesota Mauling. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Although Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis didn’t accompany their big brother on his first day at Eton the day prior, Prince William and Kate Middleton were photographed with their eldest son on his big day. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

Prince Harry, who was days away from turning 11 years old, also joined his big brother and parents. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for big brother

• another
• godmother
• grandmother
• stepbrother
• stepmother
• mother
• nother
• other
• smother
• souther